STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dozens of volunteers spruced up a dreary West Brighton parking lot Saturday, transforming it into a community garden that will provide produce for the needy and educate children about healthy dietary choices.

Tymeek Morgan, 8, of West Brighton helped move some of the 8 cubic yards of mineral-rich topsoil that will fill 12 raised garden beds while he planned for a future as a Staten Island farmer.

"I want to plan to grow yams and avocados and sweet peas and for fruit, strawberries and carrots," said Tymeek who is working with his father in a garden for the first time.

About 65 volunteers from the Staten Island Deliverance Temple, Grow NYC, Staten Island Musketeers and H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths helped build the garden beds, two picnic tables and some other landscaping in the area adjacent to the West Brighton Pool and Henderson Avenue.

"This is just great to see the kids out here," H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths chairman Anthony Antonucci, Jr. said. "When they do it themselves, maybe they will eat their vegetables. And it teaches them to be self-sufficient. Most city kids have never seen a garden."

Mariners Harbor teen Russell Morrison pointed out the benefits of growing his own food, and he is hopeful that he will be eating his own vegetables by the summer.

"I know a lot with processed foods they use pesticides and all kind of chemicals, and this is organic, so it should be healthier," Morrison said.

The parks department provided the mulch, soil and much of the materials to build the garden beds, said Lenny Librizzi, assistant director of open space greening with Grow NYC. The Staten Island Deliverance Temple provided gloves, refreshments and other amenities for the day, Rev. Ruth Morrison said.

"Today is the first day, and we are laying the foundation to get ready to plant," Mrs. Morrison said. "We realize that in the poor neighborhoods, you buy what you can afford, and most times you don't buy fresh fruits and vegetables. So we are hoping with what we have at least the parishioners will get some, and the excess we will put in the (Temple's) food pantry."